Events

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is observed in March to raise awareness of colorectal cancer and encourage screening and prevention. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. However, it is also often preventable with on-time, routine screening.   The Department of Medicine knows that you, our faculty and staff, are our most precious resource at CUIMC. In partnership with the Division of Liver & Digestive Diseases, we are sponsoring Staff & Faculty Screening Month. Starting March 2nd- 31st, the Division of Digestive & Liver Diseases will hold space in their schedules for faculty and staff eligible and interested in getting screened for colorectal cancer that week at our endoscopy suite at our 51 W 51st Street, Milstein Building on CUIMC Main Campus, and our One Westchester locations.   How can you tell if you’re eligible for screening? ●         Screening should begin at age 45 for people at average risk. ●         People at higher risk may need to get screened earlier. They should speak with their healthcare provider about when to get checked. Conditions that increase risk include: ○         Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis ○         A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps ○         A genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome)   If you would like to schedule a screening colonoscopy with a Columbia gastroenterologist during Staff & Faculty Screening Month, please email DLDstaffscreening@cumc.columbia.edu with your contact details, and we will call you to book a procedure. A pre-procedure consultation may be required depending on your medical history.